All we ask of you
is a little of your time and we will train you. The training can be
done a little at a time or all at once, whichever is more convenient
for you. We will not ask you to do anything you do not feel ready to
try. We can guarantee you that, even if you have never refereed a game
in your life, with a few hours of training, you will know more about
the game of soccer than most Americans will ever know. We can also
guarantee you that, if only as spectator, your appreciation and
enjoyment of the game will increase.

I don't have the time!

The referees are
free to choose the games they can do, which can be scheduled at your
convenience, possibly just before or after the game your child is
playing.

I
don't think I could put up with the behavior of some coaches and
spectators!

We do not want our
referees to put up with it! Most of the adults and players involved in
our program are here because we do not allow unsportsmanlike behavior.
Our region has strict policies governing such behavior, and we are
strongly committed to these policies. As a referee, we can teach you
how to deal with these situation in a dignified and appropriate manner,
and help us maintain the A.Y.S.O. philosophy while setting a good
example for our impressionable young players.

I'm not the right kind of person to be a
referee, I'd be embarrassed!

All you need is to
like kids and like to see them have fun playing soccer. We can teach
you the rest. There is no need to feel embarrassed because we are all
volunteers and we all make mistakes, even our most experienced
referees. We would also make sure that you were always with an
experienced referee for support.

I
can't afford the equipment, and besides, I'm a woman and women don't
referee!

Women certainly do
referee, and make very good ones, too. This is exactly why we would
like you to volunteer, we would like to have more women involved as
referees. We provide most of the referee uniform and equipment.

I
don't think I could keep up with the players. Some of them are pretty
fast!

Most of us can't
keep up with them either. We give the upper division games, with the
faster players, to our fitter and more experienced referees. We still
have plenty of lower division games on smaller fields where you would
be able to keep up. Refereeing is also a good way to get a little
exercise and have fun at the same time.

I
don't think I could handle the responsibilities of the referee!

In time you will
develop the confidence to referee, but even if you don't, you could
provide vital assistance to the referee by being an assistant referee.
We have several qualified referees who only work as assistant referees.

I'm
too young!

All you have to be
is 12 years old. We will teach you how to referee games for the younger
divisions. As a general rule, referees only do games for players
younger than they are. We have a special Youth Referee Administrator
and monitors on the fields to assist our younger referees.

CERTIFICATION

All referees
should be certified. Certification is earned by attending a referees
clinic.